What’s the closest you can get to disappearing into a galaxy far, far away while still being on earth? Possibly a creative retreat at George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch. The Star Wars mastermind began buying land in Marin County, California, in 1978, and built a compound that, to this day, is home to his Skywalker Sound facility, an extensive research library, an inn where guests can stay, and other amenities.

In honor of the filmmaker’s 82nd birthday on May 14, 2026, revisit AD’ s tour of the property from the March 2004 issue below.

He is the creator of distant galaxies: of Death Stars, Jedi Knights, droids, Wookiees, frog-headed aliens and bossy, recalcitrant princesses.…